Road closure and qualifying fees set at the Commissioners meeting Tuesday evening

Bulloch County Commission met for their regular bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, December 5, 2023. Commissioner Ray Mosley invited Pastor Larry Cone to open the meeting with prayer.

The commissioners set qualifying fees for the upcoming elections, closed a road and purchased vehicles as part of the business covered in the meeting. They also listened to citizens concerns. Keep reading for all business covered at the meeting.

APPROVED - CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes Approval: Tuesday November 7th, 2023 05:30 PM

2. Minutes Approval: Tuesday November 21st, 2023 08:30 AM

MOVED TO NEW BUSINESS - 3. Reject a portion of the bid received from Friendship Ford and approve the purchase of three F250 pick-up trucks for Public Works Transportation Division from the State of Georgia vehicle purchasing contract.

A bid for 18 vehicles was issued on September 28, 2023. The bid opening was held on October 26, 2023. Only one bid was received from Friendship Ford out of Bristol, Tennessee. A bid was emailed to two dealerships located in Statesboro, Georgia, and one dealership did not respond with contact information. A bid ad was posted in the Statesboro Herald on September 28, 2023, and posted to the County’s website and on the Georgia Procurement Registry for the duration of the bid cycle. The State of Georgia contract prices were not yet available when the bid was issued. At the time of the vehicle bid opening the State of Georgia’s purchasing window has opened for some vehicles. A comparison has been made between the available vehicles through the state contract and the vehicles submitted on the bid. There is a clause in the vehicle bid that allows the County to accept the bid in whole or in part. It is recommended to reject item #12 on the bid and order F250s off the State of Georgia Vehicle Bid Contract. The reason for upgrading to an F250 is that a Super Cab is needed with an 8-foot bed. Ford no longer makes a Super Cab F150 with an 8-foot bed, the longest bed available is 6.5 feet. The 8-foot bed is needed to transport motor grader blades and transporting the blades in a 6.5-foot truck bed is a safety issue with the overhang of the motor grader blade. A Super Cab is needed so that the Supervisor may transport the needed work crew to the job site.

4. Reject a portion of the bid received from Friendship Ford and approve and ratify the purchase of two Utility Police Interceptor vehicles for the Bulloch County Correctional Institute from the State of Georgia vehicle purchasing contract.

A bid for 18 vehicles was issued on September 28, 2023. The bid opening was held on October 26, 2023. Only one bid was received from Friendship Ford out of Bristol, Tennessee. A bid was emailed to two dealerships located in Statesboro, Georgia, and one dealership did not respond with contact information. A bid ad was posted in the Statesboro Herald on September 28, 2023, and posted to the County’s website and on the Georgia Procurement Registry for the duration of the bid cycle. The State of Georgia contract prices were not yet available when the bid was issued. At the time of the vehicle bid opening the State of Georgia’s purchasing window had opened for some vehicles. A comparison has been made between the available vehicles through the state contract and the vehicles submitted on the bid. There is a clause in the vehicle bid that allows the County to accept the bid in whole or in part. It is recommended to reject item #14 on the bid and ratify the purchase of the Utility Police Interceptor vehicles off the State of Georgia Vehicle Bid Contract. Wade Ford of Smyrna, Georgia has the state contract on the Utility Police Interceptor Vehicles. This dealership had vehicles on their lot that fit the needs of the Bulloch County Correctional Institute. A purchase order was issued for two of the vehicles so those vehicles would not be sold to someone else, and the Correctional Institute would not have to wait until August 2024 to get the needed vehicles. By going through the state contract, the County saved $22,358.00 on the purchase of these vehicles.

5. Motion to approve and ratify the purchase of one 2024 Ford F150 4X2 XL Regular Cab pickup truck.

After the bid for vehicles was issued and received, it was determined the Building and Facilities Department needed another vehicle. Friendship Automotive was contacted and the dealership agreed to allow the purchase of another 2024 Ford F150 4X2 XL Regular Cab pickup truck at the same cost as was submitted on the bid for the Building and Facilities Department. A purchase order was issued for the vehicle so the vehicle could be ordered for the same cost. This vehicle will be purchased with funds remaining in the vehicle purchase line item and funds not yet allocated in the Buildings and Facilities Budget. The cost for the purchase of this vehicle will be added to the amended budget. It is recommended to approve and ratify the purchase of the vehicle for the Buildings and Facilities Department.

6. Motion to approve the purchase of a demo Harper Hawk HK4200 Sweeper

The Parks Division was approved to purchase a sweeper to replace a sweeper that was purchased in 2004. The sweeper is used at all parks to remove fallen leaves, remove grass clippings, thatch after verticutting the fields, cores after aerifying fields, and to sweep the fields after special events.

Two quotes for the purchase of a Harper Hawk HK4200 were received from Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation (JPT&I).

Quote 1) The purchase of a new sweeper for $66,287.20 with one curb sweeper on the right side and no canopy.

Quote 2) The purchase of a demo sweeper. JPT&I brought a demo for us to try and offered it to us at a reduced price of $63,911.96. This machine includes a curb sweeper on the left and right of the machine, has a canopy with a warning light. It has only 60 hours and would have the same warranty as a new machine with no hour limits.

If we purchase a new machine the lead time now is 8 - 10 months from order to delivery; a demo unit is available immediately upon receiving a purchase order.

We have a budget of $60,000 but we have other purchases this year that came in below budget that would cover the overage.

It is the recommendation of Tony Morgan, Parks Division Manager, to approve quote #2, the purchase of the demo unit Harper Hawk HK4200 through Omnia Partners Group and Cooperative Purchasing #5345063 for a total of $63,911.96.

7. Motion to approve the purchase of a TinyLine Marker Pro X Package

We are seeking approval for the purchase of an autonomous athletic field painter. We have researched automated paint sprayers, through demo and on location where they are being used (Effingham Co BOE & Bulloch Co BOE).

At this year’s GRPA Maintenance Field Day, we were able to see the “Tiny Mobile Robot” paint sprayer, which was an impressive machine. A detailed memo outlining the process and time it would save using this method over the course of a year is attached.

The cost for new technology is not cheap. There are two packages available for the Tiny Line Marker as outlined in the detailed memo (Tiny LineMarker Pro X - $42,000 and Tiny LineMarker Pro X Plus - $52,900).

It is the recommendation of Tony Morgan, Parks Division Manager, to purchase the robot using the Pro X Plus plan for $52,900. This sole source purchase would be paid using savings from the light project in Brooklet.

8. Approve a Resolution to Fix and Publish Qualifying Fees for County Elected Offices

O.C.G.A. 21-2-131 requires the Board of Commissioners as governing authority to fix and publish qualifying fees for those county offices up for election in 2024 on or before February 1. This statute also mandates a formula to determine the qualifying fee for each office. The attached resolution fixes qualifying fees in accordance with the statutory formula. Approval is recommended.

OFFICE QUALIFYING FEE

Chairman of the Board of Commissioners $600.00
Member of the Board of Commissioners $225.00
Member of the Board of Education $72.00
Clerk of Superior Court $ 2,425.67
Probate Court Judge $2.425.67
Sheriff $2,799.43
Tax Commissioner $2.425.67
Magistrate Court Judge $2,474.18
Solicitor-General $4,142.37
Coroner $630.00
County Surveyor $100.00

9. Motion to approve the purchase and installation of a 50REOZK Kohler Generator with 200 AMP ATS in the amount of $52,225.00 from J & T Service Center through Sourcewell Contract 092222-KOH. Agenda Board of Commissioners December 5, 2023

Bulloch County Correctional Facility is requesting approval to purchase a replacement emergency power generator and related switch gear using budgeted capital projects funding. This unit will replace the emergency generator currently supplying back-up power for the majority of BCCI excluding the kitchen area (covered by a newer unit). The current unit is approximately 38 years old and parts are becoming very difficult to find. BCCI relies on this generator to supply necessary power for life safety functions during loss of main power due to weather or man-made power outages. Approval is recommended.

10. Motion to approve a resolution to establish a streetlight district for The Anniston. The subdivision is located off of Railroad Bed Road, Parcel No. 107 000012 001.

11. Motion to Approve the Motorola Software Users Agreement with Motorola Solutions

This is the software upgrade contract for the Bulloch County portion of the SEGARRN radio system. This agreement is required to keep the Bulloch County radio system on the same software platform as all the other users on the SEGARRN radio system and the SEGARRN master site. This is a contract that will run from November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2025.This is a budgeted software agreement for the radio system.

12. Motion to grant a 2024 alcoholic beverage renewal license for package retail beer and wine sales to certain establishments with a current 2023 license.

OFF-PREMISES

Four Square Circle, LLC – Pratik Pandya, Ankur Pat

New Business

APPROVED - 3. Reject a portion of the bid received from Friendship Ford and approve the purchase of three F250 pick-up trucks for Public Works Transportation Division from the State of Georgia vehicle purchasing contract.

A bid for 18 vehicles was issued on September 28, 2023. The bid opening was held on October 26, 2023. Only one bid was received from Friendship Ford out of Bristol, Tennessee. A bid was emailed to two dealerships located in Statesboro, Georgia, and one dealership did not respond with contact information. A bid ad was posted in the Statesboro Hearld on September 28, 2023, and posted to the County’s website and on the Georgia Procurement Registry for the duration of the bid cycle. The State of Georgia contract prices were not yet available when the bid was issued. At the time of the vehicle bid opening the State of Georgia’s purchasing window has opened for some vehicles. A comparison has been made between the available vehicles through the state contract and the vehicles submitted on the bid. There is a clause in the vehicle bid that allows the County to accept the bid in whole or in part. It is recommended to reject item #12 on the bid and order F250s off the State of Georgia Vehicle Bid Contract. The reason for upgrading to an F250 is that a Super Cab is needed with an 8-foot bed. Ford no longer makes a Super Cab F150 with an 8-foot bed, the longest bed available is 6.5 feet. The 8-foot bed is needed to transport motor grader blades and transporting the blades in a 6.5-foot truck bed is a safety issue with the overhang of the motor grader blade. A Super Cab is needed so that the Supervisor may transport the needed work crew to the job site.

New Business

A bid for 18 vehicles was issued on September 28, 2023. The bid opening was held on October 26, 2023. Only one bid was received from Friendship Ford out of Bristol, Tennessee. A bid was emailed to two dealerships located in Statesboro, Georgia, and one dealership did not respond with contact information. A bid ad was posted in the Statesboro Hearld on September 28, 2023, and posted to the County’s website and on the Georgia Procurement Registry for the duration of the bid cycle. The State of Georgia contract prices were not yet available when the bid was issued. At the time of the vehicle bid opening the State of Georgia’s purchasing window has opened for some vehicles. A comparison has been made between the available vehicles through the state contract and the vehicles submitted on the bid. There is a clause in the vehicle bid that allows the County to accept the bid in whole or in part. It is recommended to reject item #12 on the bid and order F250s off the State of Georgia Vehicle Bid Contract. The reason for upgrading to an F250 is that a Super Cab is needed with an 8-foot bed. Ford no longer makes a Super Cab F150 with an 8-foot bed, the longest bed available is 6.5 feet. The 8-foot bed is needed to transport motor grader blades and transporting the blades in a 6.5-foot truck bed is a safety issue with the overhang of the motor grader blade. A Super Cab is needed so that the Supervisor may transport the needed work crew to the job site.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Resolution to Abandon a Portion of County Road No. 1082 a/k/a Jones Road

Sid Jones spoke in favor of the road closure.

John Hurlubus with American Forest Management spoke in opposition of the closure.

A petition was submitted requesting that the Commissioners consider abandoning Jones Road. In accordance with Georgia law, the Commissioners held a public hearing on this issue on November 7, 2023. At the hearing it was learned that two property owners with access onto Jones Road--Lawrence Missionary Baptist Church and Southland Timberlands, LLC--both objected to Jones Road being closed from their property to its intersection with Lawrence Church Road. In light of these objections, the Commissioners voted to defer their decision on this matter until the December 5th meeting. Approval of the attached resolution would close a portion of Jones Road from its intersection with Highway 67, while leaving open the section of the road used by Southland Timberlands, LLC and Lawrence Missionary Baptist Church to access Lawrence Church Road. In the interim the County attorney received a phone call from a representative of Synovus Trust, another property owner with access to Jones Road, who stated that Synovus Trust would not be opposed to closing the portion of Jones Road represented in the attached resolution. If the Commissioners find that abandonment of this portion of County Road No. 1082, also known as Jones Road, is warranted because it has ceased to be used by the public to the extent that no substantial public purpose is served by it or its removal from the county road system is otherwise in the best public interest, then the Commissioners may adopt the attached resolution to certify abandonment of this portion of the road.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Don Armel and Kathy Albertson came to discuss the Memorial Park master plan and pickle ball. Thank you for the work you have done with the players to get the courts resurfaced and provide six pickle ball courts. Currently they have 60 to 70 players daily. Their pickle ball app has 280 members in it. Grice Connect had a great story last week about the popularity of pickle ball. Thank you Grice Connect.

We have outgrown the facility, especially at night. This is testament to the success of the courts being there and your help in growing this sport.

The plan shows four courts in the new master plan for the park as part of the Creek on the Blue Mile Project. Where will we play while the construction is taking place. We are not sure who to talk to regarding future plans for pickle ball.

They came to the commission because the Rec Department comes under the County.

County Manager Tom Couch said he is not aware of any plans to change the park. That is a city plan, outside of the Honey Bowen Building the County doesn't own any of this. It is owned and controlled by the City.

Chair Thompson also said that they are aware that pickle ball is a growing and popular sport and the demand is outstripping supply.

Leisha Nevil the last time I spoke I talked about us all working together and not have arguing. We need communication. Her Facebook page was attacked by friends of the Commission. I have not seen personal attacks against you all. But I have heard about them. I take offense to these comments on Facebook regarding the people are going to the meetings and speaking are very closed minded. My point is that they are not being answered. Is there a way to host a public forum where you can talk back and answer questions.

Herman Johnson you answered my question regarding the water meeting.

Lawton Sack the water meeting is going on at the same time the planning and zoning meeting will be going on at the same time. I requested that the planning and zoning meetings minutes be released publicly before the commission meeting. Jeff Akins said they cannot go up on the counties website before the meeting because they are not approved. He asked then if the planning and zoning could be live streamed like the commission. He is impressed with the work they are doing, especially Chair Lady Marsh. The citizens need to have access to those meeting by way of live stream.

Cassandra Mikell said Commissioner Simmons made some strong statements at the end of the last meeting. I personally made a meeting with you in July before the tax meetings. Mr. Mosley met with me. Mr. Simmons did not respond. Dozens spoke against the request. After telling you to not raise your taxes, you did it anyway. These repeated unanimous votes should not have happened. The town hall meetings should be better attended now. Hopefully.

COMMISSION AND STAFF COMMENTS

Reminder that employee appreciation Christmas lunch is this Friday at the Ag Arena.

Commissioner Toby Connor thanks everyone for the prayers and support in their time of need with his Grandmother. Remember Commissioner Jappy Stringer with his mother-in-law.